Looking for a Miter Saw

[Platonic Solid]

Since I've been working on raising the rat shack (link) I've come to realize that my little 8 inch Hitachi miter saw isn't good for anything much larger than a 2x4. I'd like something capable of cutting a 45 on a 2x8.

HF has 12 in. Double-Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw With Laser Guide System (link) for $200. Most reviews are positive.

If I get that, I'd likely get the Mobile Miter Saw Stand (link) also for $120

Any guidance appreciated.

 

[FTG-05]

Dewalt 12" sliding compound miter saw. $399 on sale, with free stand at HD. At least that's the way I got mine. How in the world did I cut wood all these years without this saw????

Anyway, my .02.

 

[niferous]

My Kobalt miter saw works great and was very affordable.

 

[Toomanytools?]

Dewalt 12" sliding compound miter saw. $399 on sale, with free stand at HD. At least that's the way I got mine. How in the world did I cut wood all these years without this saw????

Anyway, my .02.

That's a decent deal, I would do that over HF. You need at least a 10" sliding saw to miter a 2x8.

 

[Coach James]

My Kobalt miter saw works great and was very affordable.

The carpentry class at the local high school has several Kobalt sliding miter saws. The instructor likes them except for the horizontal handle.

Coach

 

[cheechi]

the Ridgid miter saw stand is great if you need mobility. The Dewalt stands are great if you have a flat surface for them. The feet don't adjust so you have to shim it or it rocks. Having had both there's benefits to both but I sold my Dewalts to buy the Ridgid.

 

[Unruh]

I have the Dewalt one as well. Mine has that XPS system. It shows a shadow of the blade and where it will cut. I love that thing! My most used tool in my garage.

 

[Todd.Brock]

I bought the big *** dewalt 12 slider and hated it . Because I had to move it around indoors. I settled in a hitachi 12” from Lowe’s. It’s a compound, but not a slider. I love it. It has a laser and a really smooth trigger.

 

[Marctrees]

Platonic - On the HF saw, I dunno... but, you just possibly,.. maybe...might... find a bit of info here -

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/search.php?searchid=35892634

Marc

 

[MushCreek]

I got a Ridgid 12" on sale at HD, then patiently waited for a Ridgid stand to turn up on CL. It works great, and the huge wheels work well on a construction site.

 

[Sh40674]

Been there and done that with miter saws. after owning a few that i couldn't get in square for the life of me, and TONS of research here and elsewhere, DEWALT! The absolute best bang for your buck, IMO. they are heavy, but it's honestly the best tool purchase i've ever made. i also bought the XPS light for it, amazing! i don't know if they make a 10" any more which mine is, but if you want to save some coin you could go for a 7 1/4" model... you'd be limited to 2x8 lumber though
https://www.lowes.com/pd/DEWALT-7-1-4-in-Single-Bevel-Sliding-Compound-Cordless-Miter-Saw/1000039887

either way, my opinion is dewalt. the harbor freight saws are good for the money, but don't ever plan on it being square. if you are trying to do any accurate work i would stay away. just my opinion

 

[Platonic Solid]

Dewalt 12" sliding compound miter saw. $399 on sale, with free stand at HD. At least that's the way I got mine. How in the world did I cut wood all these years without this saw????

Anyway, my .02.

Did you buy it on Black Friday? The only combo deal I see is this Dewalt cordless with rolling stand for $800. I hadn't even considered cordless. A bit pricey, but I can see the perk of not being tethered.

 

[Platonic Solid]

the Ridgid miter saw stand is great if you need mobility. The Dewalt stands are great if you have a flat surface for them. The feet don't adjust so you have to shim it or it rocks. Having had both there's benefits to both but I sold my Dewalts to buy the Ridgid.

So you like this RIDGID Mobile Miter Saw Stand (link) over this Dewalt Mobile Miter Saw Stand (link)? Neither one looks particularly adjustable for uneven surfaces.

 

[Platonic Solid]

OT

Platonic - On the HF saw, I dunno... but, you just possibly,.. maybe...might... find a bit of info here -

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/search.php?searchid=35892634

Marc

Point taken, but considering the countless hours I've spent doing free research and real work lighting layouts for GJ members I like to think I've earned the right to ask my question directly. I did search and didn't find the answer to my question.

 

[tom-ky]

Since I've been working on raising the rat shack (link) I've come to realize that my little 8 inch Hitachi miter saw isn't good for anything much larger than a 2x4. I'd like something capable of cutting a 45 on a 2x8.

HF has 12 in. Double-Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw With Laser Guide System (link) for $200. Most reviews are positive.

If I get that, I'd likely get the Mobile Miter Saw Stand (link) also for $120

Any guidance appreciated.

I bought one for a project we are doing. Only partially done but so far it is done what I need it to. Laser is useless in my opinion. I bought it, the stand and a blade for $275.

 

[Platonic Solid]

I bought the big *** dewalt 12 slider and hated it . Because I had to move it around indoors. I settled in a hitachi 12” from Lowe’s. It’s a compound, but not a slider. I love it. It has a laser and a really smooth trigger.

$200 doesn't look bad for this: https://www.lowes.com/pd/Hitachi-12-in-15-Amp-Dual-Bevel-Laser-Compound-Miter-Saw/1037899

 

[Todd.Brock]

That’s the one. It’s been a great saw. It’s not light weight, but it’s a damn site better than the DeWalt for hauling up and down basement stairs, through the house, outside, etc... check it out...

The Dewalt was a nice saw , just too heavy and bulky for my need.

 

[finn]

Bosch compound slider.

A 10" is lighter, and costs less, and probably more than adequate. The big dog 12" is bordering on not being portable, at least for an old guy like me.

 

[HoosierBuddy]

20 years ago, I did all this research too. I went from wanting a 10 inch miter saw to thinking I wanted a compound MS, to wanting a sliding compound MS.

Then I took a step back and thought...why don't I just get the basic 10-inch and if it isn't big enough I'll get a radial arm saw too. No a radial arm saw isn't particularly portable...but neither is a sliding 12-inch compound miter saw on a stand...really.

Fast forward 20 years. I only use my miter saw a couple of times a year and most times it's able to get done what I need to get done with it. When it can't get all the way through a board, I'll finish the cut with a handsaw. Not ideal...but it works. I've never pulled the trigger and bought a radial arm saw. In fact...I think radial arm saws are becoming a thing of the past due to sliding miter saws....but if I could have either...(as I don't need portability)...I'd rather have the radial arm saw...I think.

Phil

 

[purplezr2]

Bosch compound slider.

A 10" is lighter, and costs less, and probably more than adequate. The big dog 12" is bordering on not being portable, at least for an old guy like me.

This, I love mine, I have the 12" I think. It is a beast, but honestly is not that bad to move around. I really like it.

 

[Chromdome35]

I have the Hitachi 12" compound slider on a Bosch gravity rise stand.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Hitachi-12-in-15-Amp-Dual-Bevel-Sliding-Laser-Compound-Miter-Saw/1000092953

Has been a great combo for me.

 

[Platonic Solid]

At home I have a radial arm saw, table saw and industrial band saw. Primary feature of a new bigger miter saw is portability. If I'm looking at the right one, the 10" Bosch compound slider (link) is $600. I'm not saying it isn't worth it, just not sure I can justify it.

 

[Trey T]

Makita has a saw that's rival directly at Festool Kapex for 1/3 cost, $500.

 

[exmaxima1]

either way, my opinion is dewalt. the harbor freight saws are good for the money, but don't ever plan on it being square. if you are trying to do any accurate work i would stay away. just my opinion

I'll second your opinion. We have a Dewalt 12" Compound (non-sliding) at work and it's been a total workhorse for years. We mainly cut aluminum bar stock (up to 3/4 x 6) and 3 x 3 extrusions with it, and it has never broke down. Still has original bearings and cuts a square edge like a milling machine. Neighboring machine shops have borrowed it and they now have the same model saws for their shops. If it ever dies, I'll buy another Dewalt in a heartbeat.

 

[Youngguns]

Bosch compound slider.

A 10" is lighter, and costs less, and probably more than adequate. The big dog 12" is bordering on not being portable, at least for an old guy like me.

This, I love mine, I have the 12" I think. It is a beast, but honestly is not that bad to move around. I really like it.

I have a Bosch 10" sliding compound I picked up second hand. It's definitely one hell of a saw, but one thing you should consider (that I didn't) is how much they stick out due to their slide bars. They take up a lot of space (whether or not you have a stand).

 

[Rich+]

If you think you might cut metal in the future take a look at the Evolution Rage 3:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0030M2TCC/?tag=atomicindus08-20

It spins slower (2000RPM instead of typical 5000RPM) and comes with Evolution's multipurpose blade. I have cut 2" angle iron with it no problem. It also cuts wood with the same blade.

The saw does support traditional miter blades. The majority of the time I keep the Evolution blade installed (I am a hobbyist so I don't go through too many). But when I have a particular project like the shed I'm building I throw in a wood cutting blade and save some money.

 

[MushCreek]

The stand is what makes the Ridgid great. At 62 lbs., I ain't carrying it anywhere. I built an entire house with it, yet when I came to cabinetry (last), it was still dead-nuts accurate. I try not to beat on it, though.

 

[Platonic Solid]

So I looked around the shop and came to realize that the hitachi fixed arm miter saw I have is actually a 10" as is the radial arm saw and the table saw. Please excuse my ignorance as I inherited everything except the miter saw when my parents retired to Florida. I assumed the miter saw was smaller as I can't cut a 45 on anything bigger than a 2x4. With that in mind it seems to make some sense to limit my seach to 10" sliding miter saws as I have several 10" blades. Is it possible to cut a 45 on a 2x8 with a 10" sliding miter saw in one cut?

Looks like my question was already answered:

... You need at least a 10" sliding saw to miter a 2x8.

 

[Platonic Solid]

Just thinking - I spend thousands of dollars on bills every month without a second thought and here I am thinking spending over $600 on a miter saw is unreasonable. Thanks everyone for your input. Still researching.

 

[Platonic Solid]

OK, I think I'm ready to pull the trigger on the combo ACDC Dewalt DHS790AT2WRS with stand (link) for $800. I know the stand isn't ideal. My only concern is the 147 lb total weight. Will the average human be able to get this thing in a standard pickup without a ramp?

 

[Sh40674]

do you want cordless? if you want or don't mind corded, you can save a ton of money by buying a corded saw and a miter stand separately

http://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-1...y-Duty-Miter-Saw-Stand-DWS780DWX723/203068923

personally i would do this and invest some money in a good blade or 2.. freud gets my vote

 

[Sh40674]

sorry, i meant separately or in a corded combo.

stand at home depot for $123
http://www.homedepot.com/p/POWERTEC...ls-and-110-Volt-Power-Outlet-MT4000/206862920

200 for a good dewalt stand:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-32-1-2-in-x-60-in-Rolling-Miter-Saw-Stand-DWX726/202935041

400 for a saw:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-1...l-Sliding-Compound-Miter-Saw-DWS709/205909852

so that route you'd be at 525 plus tax or 600 plus tax, respectively

 

[Sh40674]

i'll put it this way.. if it were me, and i worked in construction, i would get a cordless saw, just in case i don't have a power supply.

but as a DIY guy and a homeowner, not in construction, i have and would never consider a corded saw. i'd rather have continuous power and not worry about a battery dying and forgetting to bring a charger or spare battery. just my .02 cents... as far as weight, you attach the miter saw to the clamps, and the clamps attach to the stand. so you can load the saw and stand up separately. if i remember right my 10 inch slider is around 60 pounds, the 12 inch should be a small amount heavier. not unbearable. my stand (not a dewalt stand) weights probably another 40 at least, so i would separate the 2 when loading, and reattach when i unload.

 

[Sh40674]

actually i just read that the saw you had has a corded power supply... so in that case it's completely up to you, dewalt either way is my vote! sorry for all the replies.

 

[finn]

I have a Bosch 10" sliding compound I picked up second hand. It's definitely one hell of a saw, but one thing you should consider (that I didn't) is how much they stick out due to their slide bars. They take up a lot of space (whether or not you have a stand).

The newer Bosch sliding compound miter saws are very compact. That's one of their main selling points.

They'll snuggle right up to the wall, unlike my old Makita.

 

[finn]

Just thinking - I spend thousands of dollars on bills every month without a second thought and here I am thinking spending over $600 on a miter saw is unreasonable. Thanks everyone for your input. Still researching.

I choked on the price of my Bosch at first too, but found it on sale at Menards.

Don't remember the final price, but it was competitive with Dewalt, and is a more compact saw.

I forgot the price heartburn the first time I used the saw.

 

[beewerks]

I'll offer my opinion on this as well. I have the Bosch GCM12SD 12 inch miter saw at home. It is incredible and with the glide arm moves perfectly smooth. There are no long sliding arms to stick out the back, and sawdust doesn't buildup on the sliding action to hinder movement. I've gotten great square cuts with it and the stock blade is even kind of decent. Homedepot linky.

 

[tarbellb]

The trick to loading up a miter saw and stand is to put the non wheeled end on the tailgate, then lift the other end and push into the bed.

I load up my 10" sliding Makita like this all the time.

Personally I would wait another year if I was looking for a more portable saw, all the major mfg are just introducing them. They are bound to drop in price once the competition stiffens.

 

[Fcvapor05]

IF you're into cordless saws, look at the Milwaukee- I LOVE mine. It's a wood eater. Was laser-perfect square and true right out of the box (checked with a 36" certified straight edge and was/is perfect.

 

[Platonic Solid]

So even though my local HD has both the Dewalt DHS790AT2 saw (link) and stand DWX726 (link) in stock, they say they can't sell them to me as the advertised combo DHS790AT2WRS (link) (obviously WRS in that part number means With Rolling Stand).

I called the store and was told that I must order online and wait for the DHS790AT2WRS to ship to store.

The associate proceeded to tell me that there could be some differences between the combo deal and the individual items. I told him that would be false advertising and illegal as there's no disputing that the detail description of DHS790AT2WRS clearly states it is the DHS790AT2 saw with DWX726 stand.